BIMECS-Ecological Consultancy Skills

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Jonathan Mitchley
Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module develops key professional skills associated with the office-based elements of ecological consultancy. The module introduces the ecological consultancy industry (how it works, what it does and why it is needed), covers relevant wildlife legislation and planning policy, background data searches, development planning, project management and project tendering.  It explains some of the current biodiversity assessment tools employed by the industry including landscape ecological analysis, ecological impact assessment, biodiversity net gain and ecosystem services.  It also covers practical techniques such as GIS, Remote Sensing and quantitative analysis of ecological data.

Aims:

• To introduce the ecological consultancy industry;


• To describe relevant wildlife legislation (covering what is protected and how it is protected), development planning (how ecology fits into the planning process), records searches, report writing and ecological impact assessment; and


• To introduce consultancy project management and project tendering.


• To explain some of the current biodiversity assessment tools employed by the industry including landscape ecological analysis, ecological impact assessment, biodiversity net gain and ecosystem services. 


• To outline some of the key practical techniques such as GIS, Remote Sensing and quantitative analysis of ecological data.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and communicate findings appropriately based on the target audience;


• Identify the possible requirements of an Ecological Appraisal and produce a quote for a client (identifying what surveys are required, why they are required and how much it might cost).

Additional outcomes:

• Knowledge of the ecological consultancy industry, biological recording, wildlife legislation, development planning, ecological impact assessment and biodiversity assessment.


• Working in a team to achieve objectives to a tight deadline.

Outline content:

• Introduction to ecological consultancy.


• Wildlife legislation.


• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.


• Protected animal species and botanical surveys.


• Invertebrate survey in consultancy.


• Development Planning.


• Tender writing & project management.


• Ecological Impact Assessment.


• Remote sensing and GIS.


• Using R for data exploration, analysis andpresentation.


• Landscape ecology and connectivity.


• Biodiversity Net Gain and Ecosystem Services.


• Citizen science - engaging local communities in spatial planning.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, seminars and workshops, roleplay exercises and a field class.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	15
Seminars	5	5
Practicals classes and workshops	10	10
Fieldwork		10
External visits		10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	25	25
Peer assisted learning	10	10
Advance preparation for classes	5	5
Other	50	30
Preparation for presentations	5
Preparation of practical report		10
Group study tasks	10	10
Reflection	10	10
Total hours by term	150	150	0
Total hours for module	300

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	50
Set exercise	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Tender Assignment (Autumn term); and


• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (Spring term)

Formative assessment methods:

Class discussion and feedback sessions, peer learning, team work.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

To be discussed with module convenor.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022